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Man convicted of Kercher murder Man convicted of Kercher murder
(about 2 hours later)
A 21-year-old man has been jailed for 30 years for murdering British exchange student Meredith Kercher in Italy.A 21-year-old man has been jailed for 30 years for murdering British exchange student Meredith Kercher in Italy.
Rudy Hermann Guede, from the Ivory Coast, was found guilty after a trial behind closed doors. Her brother John said the verdict was "overwhelming".Rudy Hermann Guede, from the Ivory Coast, was found guilty after a trial behind closed doors. Her brother John said the verdict was "overwhelming".
Miss Kercher, 21, from south London, was found dead at a house she shared in Perugia on 2 November last year.Miss Kercher, 21, from south London, was found dead at a house she shared in Perugia on 2 November last year.
Judge Paolo Micheli also ruled that Raffaele Sollecito, 24, and Amanda Knox, 21, should face a murder trial.Judge Paolo Micheli also ruled that Raffaele Sollecito, 24, and Amanda Knox, 21, should face a murder trial.
Leeds University student Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon, had been in the Umbrian town as part of her European Studies degree.Leeds University student Miss Kercher, from Coulsdon, had been in the Umbrian town as part of her European Studies degree.
Prosecutors claimed she was killed as part of a bungled sex game involving Guede, her housemate Miss Knox, from Seattle, and the American's ex-boyfriend Mr Sollecito, from Bari, southern Italy.Prosecutors claimed she was killed as part of a bungled sex game involving Guede, her housemate Miss Knox, from Seattle, and the American's ex-boyfriend Mr Sollecito, from Bari, southern Italy.
Meredith Kercher's brother Lyle says he is satisfied by the conviction of a man for her murder
Lawyer Francesco Maresca, who represents Miss Kercher's family, spoke after Guede's conviction.Lawyer Francesco Maresca, who represents Miss Kercher's family, spoke after Guede's conviction.
"We are very satisfied, even though this was a young man who faces a very heavy sentence," he said."We are very satisfied, even though this was a young man who faces a very heavy sentence," he said.
At a press conference, Miss Kercher's brother Lyle said he was "satisfied" with the verdict.Ivorian Rudy Guede had denied any wrongdoing. At a press conference, Miss Kercher's brother Lyle said he was "satisfied" with the verdict. "You can't be pleased and you can't be unsatisfied either," he said. "I think satisfied is probably the best we can say. But you know, we put trust in them, and we think it's the right decision."
"You can't be pleased and you can't be unsatisfied either," he said. "I think satisfied is probably the best we can say. But you know, we put trust in them, and we think it's the right decision."
Her sister Stephanie said that it was a "difficult time of year for us now" and that there was a "lot of emotion at the moment" for Kercher family.Her sister Stephanie said that it was a "difficult time of year for us now" and that there was a "lot of emotion at the moment" for Kercher family.
Murder weaponMurder weapon
Miss Kercher's partially-clothed body was found under a duvet in her bedroom, which had been locked from the inside. Her throat had been cut.Miss Kercher's partially-clothed body was found under a duvet in her bedroom, which had been locked from the inside. Her throat had been cut.
Guede had opted for a fast-track trial, permissible under Italian law, because he feared the former lovers would form a pact to frame him.Guede had opted for a fast-track trial, permissible under Italian law, because he feared the former lovers would form a pact to frame him.
He had admitted to being in the house at the time of the murder but, like his co-defendants, denied any wrongdoing. He had admitted to being in the house at the time of the murder but, like his co-defendants, denied any wrongdoing.Ivorian Rudy Guede had denied any wrongdoing.
His lawyers claimed the murder weapon had been found at Mr Sollecito's house and had Miss Knox's DNA on the handle.His lawyers claimed the murder weapon had been found at Mr Sollecito's house and had Miss Knox's DNA on the handle.
The Italian's lawyers have argued he could not have been at the murder scene because he was at home downloading a cartoon at the time.The Italian's lawyers have argued he could not have been at the murder scene because he was at home downloading a cartoon at the time.
The BBC's Duncan Kennedy, in Perugia, said the trial of Mr Sollecito and Miss Knox would begin on 4 December.The BBC's Duncan Kennedy, in Perugia, said the trial of Mr Sollecito and Miss Knox would begin on 4 December.
He said it was unclear at this stage whether they would remain in prison until then or be released under some form of house arrest. He said it was unclear at this stage whether the judge would decide if they were to remain in prison until then or be released under some form of house arrest. Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini has advised that the pair remain in jail.
Our correspondent said Guede now planned to appeal against his sentence. Miss Knox reportedly broke down on hearing the decision to convict Guede. Her lawyer Luciano Ghirga said she was "was quite disappointed" by the ruling.
Our correspondent also said Guede now planned to appeal against his sentence.